KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — Afghan President Hamid Karzai has welcomed President Obamas State of the Union remarks on his country, striking a friendlier note after weeks of anti-American rhetoric. Relations between the two nations have been strained, with Karzai refusing to sign a security agreement which would allow some American troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014. Obama said during his Tuesday speech that a small U.S. military force may remain in Afghanistan next year  but didnt say how many. Karzai noted in a statement Wednesday that Obama had not set a timeline for signing any deal, calling that positive. He urged an end to negative propaganda against Afghanistan and said he now believes the two countries can work together to help restart Afghanistans peace process.